William c



I(No Model.)

W. C. LAUTNER.

BURIAL GASKET.

No. 599,943. Patented Peb. 15,1999.

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UNITED STATES ,PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM C. LAUTNER, OFROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 'TO-THE IDEAL COUCH AND GASKET COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

`BU RlAL-CASKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,043,01atea February 1'5, 189s. imitation nea Marcha 1897. serial No. 626,064. (No moda.)

To o/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. LAUTNER, a citizen of the United States, residingl at Rochester, county of Monroe, State of New York, have invented a certain newand useful Improvement in Burial-Gaskets; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object certain new and useful improvements in a burial-casket; and it consists of the construction, combination, and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a view in perspective illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view showing the cover raised. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section ,of the device with the cover in raised position. Fig. 4 is an end view showing the cover in closed position. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a sliding bolt to hold the cover in place when closed.

The object of my invention more particularly is to provide a canopy-top sofa-casket, or, in other words, a casket in which the top and body of the casket are so constructed and arranged that the top may be raised,

thereby opening the body of the casket in such a way as togive to the ,body a sofa appearance, while the top when opened may resemble a canopy.

I carryout my invention as follows:

A represents the body portion of the casket, provided with a base A', back A2, and ends A3 and A4. The front of the body is mainly cut away, leaving but a narrow upright front portion A5, the ends being cut to correspond in any suitable manner. As shown, the en`ds are cut away on a scallop descending from the top of the back adjacent to the upper edge of the front portion A5. The front por.- tion A5 is simply of sufficient height vto provide for a suitable upholstering of the base of the casket, as indicated in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 showing the casket without any upholstering. I do not limit myself to this exact form of constructing the ends of the casket, as they may be of any suitable shape, while also the body, otherwise than as hereinbefore expressed, -may be of any suitable form.

B denotes the cover constructed with a top portion B', end portions B2 and B5, and a front portion B5. The front portionis of such a width that when -the cover is closed its lower edge will shutdown upon the upper edge of the portion A5 of the base and give to the closed casket a customary appearance. My invention preferably cuts away a part of the cove or top molding extending longitudinally of the casket at the rear thereof and attaching such part of the cove or top molding to the back of the body of the casket, as indicated at C. To this portion of the cove C the lid or coverB is hinged, as indicated at a, in any suitable manner, either with stop ordetachable hinges or otherwise, so that the cover can be lifted and raised from the body portion and removed altogether therefrom, if desired. The addition of this part of the covemolding O to the top of the back of the body raises the body to a corresponding height, lightens the top, and throws the center of gravity of the top nearer tothe longitudinal center of the casket, thereby preventing it from tipping over or backward when the top is raised. Moreover, the projection of the top thus forward produces a finish, top cornice,or crest, adding greatly to the strength ofthe casket and to its general appearance. Moreover, the form in which the top is cut, with the front portions B5 projecting over the base of the casket when in raised position, gives thereto the appearance of a canopy-bed.

To protect lthe projecting part of the lid from warping, I provide suitable angle-irons or braces. (Indicated in Fig. 3 at D.) These braces will also strengthen the structure. I also. provide additional brace-irons E to strengthen the front portion A5 and the base of the casket and prevent warping.

The top is held in open position by knucklehinges or toggle-arms F, secured to the body and to the cover, as indicated in the drawings,

at each end of the casket.

The top may be fastened to the body of the kcasket in any suitable manner, as by a slid- IOO ing flush bolt G. (Indicated in detail in Fig. 5.) The handles (not shown) are to be attached to the body portion of the casket to the front A5 and back A2, the saine being preferably covered with drapery (indicated in Fig. 1 at II) on the front A5, concealing the handles from view, enabling me to employ strong malleable handles less expensive than the regular massive silver handles in common use. The forward edge of the top or body may be provided with a slightly-projecting molding (indicated at h) to hide the joint whenk the cover is closed and covering the edge of the drapery.

The casket, both top and body, may be upholstered and draped in any suitable manner. I preferto construct both the ends A3 A4 of the body alike, and I am thus enabled to use a loose sofa-pillow (indicated at J, Fig. 1) which can be reversed or placed at either end, allowing the casket to be located in any desired part oi a room.

A casket so formed is neat and ornamental, while at the saine time it does away with the appearance of ordinary caskets when opened.

In Fig. 5 parts A5 and B5 are indicated in dotted lines, the cover portion of the casket being partially open. The flush bolt G is arranged to engage with a suitable eye G.

It will be seen that the pilasters or cornermoldings instead of being formed in one solid ornamental piece, as in caskets of common construction, are formed in separate pieces ct' and a2 for the body and cover portions of the casket, so that the lower part a is rigidly engaged with the body, while the upper portion a2 is engaged with the cover.

It will be understood that the iiush bolt is engaged to work horizontally.

Vhat I claim as my invention is- In a casket, the combination of a body having a lowered front, ends descending toward said front, and a cover to fit the body, the base of said body being upholstered, and said front raised only substantially to the level of the upholstering, whereby when the cover is raised said base will form a couch or sofa, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM C. LAUTNER.

Vitnesses:

EGERTON R. WILLIAMS, Jr., SOL WILE. 

